Frank X. Tolbert

Joseph Francis Tolbert (July 27, 1912 – January 9, 1984), better known as Frank X. Tolbert, was a Texas journalist, historian, and chili enthusiast. For the Dallas Morning News, he wrote a local history column called Tolbert's Texas that ran from 1946 until his death in 1984.[1]

He was also a food connoisseur, wrote a history of chili con carne called A Bowl of Red, and ran Tolbert's chili restaurant in Dallas. In 1967 he founded, with Wick Fowler, the World Chili Championship held annually in Terlingua, Texas, which was later named for them.[2] He appeared in television commercials for Dennison's canned chili during the late 1970s.

He died of heart failure at age 71.[3] His son, Frank X. Tolbert 2, is an artist and chili chef.[4] His daughter, Kathleen Tolbert Ryan, re-opened a Tolbert's Restaurant in May 2006 on Main Street in Grapevine, Texas.[5] Tolbert's Restaurant serves Frank X. Tolbert's famous chili recipe and has been named one of the "52 things Every Dallasite Must Do" by D Magazine[6] as well as one of the best chili spots in America by Bon Appetit magazine.[7]